Garadi Track

This walk, also know as the Black Cockatoo track, starts from Mowbray Park and explores the area where the Camaraigal Clan of the Guringai Tribe once lived. The walk leads across the top of a small escarpment and winds down and back along the Lane Cove river bank. The change in vegetation is quite defined and interesting. A boardwalk section through the mangroves gives a close view of river life that changes with the tides.

Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads up the stairs, keeping the oval on the left of the walk as it winds around the hill. The walk leads to a park bench and intersection, above the spectators’ stand.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk leads across the grassed area to a ‘Mowbray Park’ sign before a bridge. The track passes the sign and bridge to continue to wind through the bush for approximately 60m, to a signposted intersection.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill away from the athletics oval, keeping the valley of the river on the left. The track winds through the bush, passing by a track (which leads to a rockshelf lookout on the left) and continuing on to a signposted intersection.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Upper Track’ arrow along the hillside. The walk goes down some stairs before skirting underneath a rocky outcrop (on the right) and continuing along a boardwalk. The track then climbs up to Avro Rd.Continue straight: From the road, this walk follows the signpost for the ‘Upper Track’[1] away from the road and down to a rock shelf. After only 30 metres, the track tends left under power lines, and turns right down some stairs beside a rocky outcrop. From the stairs, the track winds down the hill to the rocky surface at the 3-way intersection.

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the Lane Cove River bank, with the water to the right of the track. The track quickly opens out onto a clearing next to the river bank. The walk continues over two sections of boardwalked track, leading to a signposted intersection.Turn right: From the signposted intersection, this walk heads towards the large rock next to the water (below on the right). The walk uses pins bolted into the rock as handholds, and climbs to the other side of the river bank. The track then continues along the gap between the mangroves and a rocky outcrop, to come to the Mowbray Park athletics field.Turn sharp left: From the oval’s far corner, closest to the river and furthest from the road, this walk heads up the steps to the signposted intersection.Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside towards the oval (below on the right). The track winds through the bush for approximately 60m to pass over a bridge and a ‘Mowbray Park’ sign in a grassed area. The walk crosses this grass area to come to the intersection with the footpath.

(1.43km) Int. River Trk and Bus Stop Trk → Mowbray Park bus stop

40 m

2 mins

12m

0m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the footpath away from the oval, climbing the steps to the bus stop next to Mowbray Rd.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the park bench, this walk heads down the footpath, keeping the oval below on the right. The walk continues down the hill for a short time to soon come to the intersection to the side of the oval.

Maps for the Garadi Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Garadi Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Garadi Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

1.5 km

Time

1 Hr

.

Grade 3/6

Moderate track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Short steep hills (3/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

780m of this walk has short steep hills and another 500m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (260m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 240m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (240m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.5km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 140m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 140m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 830m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 710m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Garadi Track walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-mpl
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-mpl
Forecast snapshot